Lavinia Woolf | The Adventure Travel Site

Wilpattu National Park Sri Lanka

Wilpattu National Park Sri Lanka is the oldest and largest national park; also known as the leopard sanctuary in Sri Lanka, famous for its population of leopards.

Image Credit-Gihan Jayaweera, Leopard at Wilpattu National Park, CC BY-SA 3.0

Historical importance

About 500 BC, prince Vijaya and his followers from India landed at Thambapanni in the North West of Wilpattu defeating the Rakshas who inhabited this area; settled down and developed the land to originate the Sinhala kingdom. Many archaeological remains of that era are scattered around Wilpattu. To view these ruins, guidance of a competent tour guide is advised.

Way to explore

The best way to explore this park is to get professional guidance from Cinnamon Nature Trails one of many operators that offer Sri Lanka Guided Tours with a resort located near the park.

Wilpattu Park features

It is a large park sanctuary spread over 130,000 hectares in the North West coast of the dry zone in Sri Lanka, west of Anuradhapura. What’s unique about this park is that it is dotted with small natural lakes or ‘Villus’ collecting rain water for wildlife.

Animal population

It is world famous for its leopard population, has the largest collection of leopards also known as the Panthera pardus kotiya in Sri Lanka. The park is also famous for Sloth bears and barking deer.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Get one with nature! Discover the native bird species of Sri Lanka

One of the places in Sri Lanka where numerous species of birds are present throughout the year would be Yala National Park. Most of the birds seen here are indigenous birds while migrating birds drop by as well.

Image Credit- Steve Garvie from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland CC BY-SA 2.0 () via Wikimedia Commons

The Sri Lankan Junglefowl

This class of bird is much like the red junglefowl. It is also called the Ceylon Junglefowl. The bird wears a feather coating of shades of bright yellow on the upper body, gradually darkening into orange and then a dark blue at the tail. It is also the national bird of Sri Lanka.

The Indian Peafowl

This is undeniably one of the most gorgeous birds in Yala. The male bird holds an astonishing tail in countless hues of blue. These beautiful feathered creatures are quite commonly seen when on bird watching tours.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Also known as the white-breasted eagle, this takes after the Sanford’s Sea Eagle of Solomon Islands when it comes to looks. Fish is this bird’s main diet. Its call is like the loud honking of a goose.

Bird watching in Sri Lanka

If you wish to embark on a bird watching adventure during your stay in Sri Lanka, there are plenty of tour agents offering great packages. Also, properties belonging to major hotel chains such as those under Minor Hotels chain may offer excursions to Yala park as well.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Explore Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka being one of the best all-round wildlife destinations in the world showcases diverse wildlife creatures in their natural habitat. Read on to know some of Sri Lanka’s best wildlife reserves.

Image by Patty Ho Uploaded on Wikimedia Commons by Lkcl_it, Yala National Park (Sri Lanka 2012), CC BY 2.0

Wilpattu National Park

Those who keen on discovering diverse and numerous wildlife in Sri Lanka can look forward to a multitude of wild encounters in Willpattu. Being one of the oldest and largest national parks in the country, the best time to visit this park is from February to October, as this when the Wilpattu National Park quite literally comes alive different species of wildlife encounters. Cormorants, painted stroke, terns, whistling teals and spoonbills are some of the birds that nest and breed in Willpattu.

Yala National Park

Being one of the most popular wildlife reserves, the Yala National Park features brackish lagoons, grassy plains, and a light forest. Sloth bears, elephants, and many other creatures can be experienced up close. This dry zone park is just one of the rustic wildlife reserves Nkar Travel House and other leading tour operators in Sri Lanka cover.

Kumana National Park

Also known as ‘Yala East’, spotting animals is not an easy task in Kumana! However, it possesses a certain authenticity and a significant bird population. The nesting season which comes in the months of May and June makes it an ideal place to visit the park.

Sinharaja Rainforest

Staying true to its name, the Sinharaja Forest which means the ‘Lion Kingdom’ is an important biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is home to more than 50% of endemic species including mammals, butterflies as well as many kinds of insects and reptiles

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Surfing experience in the Maldives

Would you like to surf the mellow and playful waves in Maldives? Everyone who visits the island is sure to be enchanted by the majestic splendour of oceans. Know these tips before planning your surf trip.

Image by Ishan @seefromthesky seefromthesky, North Central Province, Maldives (Unsplash KgCbvOWYuU0), CC0 1.0

Right time?

In order to spend an enjoyable time of surfing in Maldives, you must ensure that the visit is made at the right time. Try your best to visit the island during the surfing season to enjoy an unforgettable experience. The surf season in Maldives starts in late February and generally lasts until November. During this time the size of the breakers averages between 4-5 feet.

The best destination?

If you’re planning to visit Maldives between April and October, consider staying at a resort in the North Male Atoll as the conditions for surfing are best in that area during this period. Always make sure whether the resort you’ve chosen provides all the necessary facilities for your surf excursion. Amongst many a surfing resort in Maldives the likes of Niyama Private Islands Maldives come as an excellent venue featuring excellent surfing spots to indulge in an unforgettable surfing experience.

Beginners!

If you wish to discover the sublime delights of surfing for the first time, you’ll find a myriad of surfing spots across the atolls that are ideal for beginners. Places such as Ninjas/ Piddlies in the Male Atolls as well as the Mulhaku Rights/ Lefts in the Central Atolls are quite safe for beginners and intermediates.

Tips to know

The heat of the sun can be brutal when you go out into the ocean so drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day. Most of the surf spots are often crowded, so remain calm and wait for your turn!

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Whale Watching in Sri Lanka –The Gentle Giants of the Ocean!

The island of Sri Lanka is quite a popular whale watching destination in South Asia, and many travellers head to the tropical isle to get a close and tantalising glimpse of these gentle giants.

Image by Oren Rozen, NZ280315 Kaikoura Whale Watching 03, CC BY-SA 3.0

Top Spots

The major locations to enjoy whale watching in Sri Lanka are Kalpitiya, Mirissa, and Trincomalee. All of these three destinations are wildly popular among tourists and have much to offer them in terms of marine life and more.

Best Time

The best time to set off on whale watching excursions is considered to be during the months of December, January, and April. During these times, you have a 95% chance of spotting whales migrating just off Dondra Point. Many travel companies on the island such as Nkar Travel House offer great packages to do so with minimal hassle.

Types of Whale Species to Spot

The Sri Lankan waters are home to the largest pod of blue whales in the world. Among the types of whale species you will encounter, include sperm and Byrde’s whales. If you happen to be really lucky you might even spot a killer whale.

Other Types of Sea Life

Apart from the whales, you can also spot plenty of bottlenose dolphins, Risso ‘s dolphins along with large pods of spinner and striped dolphins.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Parachuting in Yarra Valley Melbourne

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Then engaging in a spot of skydiving in Yarra Valley, when you’re next in Australia should most definitely be on your agenda!

Image by MKFI of Parachuting via pixabay.com

The Experience
The experience includes diving from up to 15, 000 ft at a speed over 200 km/hr along with a 60-second free fall, which will set your heart racing! Once the parachute is released you will be able to enjoy a 5-7-minute flight over the verdant region while taking in aerial views of the picturesque countryside and charming vineyards.

Where to Sign up
Interested parties can sign up for the exhilarating activity with Yarra Valley Skydiving for great rates either online or in person. Free transfers too are available for selected packages and sessions. If you happen to be staying in South Yarra hotels including the likes of Oaks South Yarra, the staff would arrange the excursion upon request.

Safety
Regardless if you are an experienced jumper or a first timer, friendly skydiving experts will ensure that everyone is comfortable while they take the customers through a safety briefing in preparation for the dive.

Packages and Price Point
Offered packages such as the Tandem Skydive from up to 15,000 ft. starts from $299 while a dive from 7, 000 ft. would be $199. Photos and videos are also available for purchase, so you can relive the thrilling experience all over again.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Dolphin Watching in Salalah

What will be more amazing than watching massive pods of delightful dolphins in their natural habitat gliding under your boat? If you are holidaying in Salalah do not miss this wonderful experience!

Image Credit-By NASA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

About

Do you like to experience the thrill of encountering adorable dolphins during your vacation? The Oman coast is perfect for this activity and there are more than 21 species of dolphins in the unspoiled seas of Oman. It is better to arrange a dolphin watching tour with an experienced guide to know more facts about these gentle sea creatures.

The speedboat ride

A journey by a speedboat is the most convenient way to reach the dolphin watching point in Salalah. The entire trip will take about two hours and you’ll have plenty of breathtaking scenery on both sides. Therefore, don’t regret for the two hours you spend on the boat! In addition, you can have a clear view of the Salalah coast and eye-catching palm trees alongside the beach.

Accommodation

Before commencing your journeys in this part of the world, it is important to do take note of the available accommodation facilities. Amongst many Oman resorts in the area, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara will come across as an excellent venue from where holidaymakers and thrill seekers like you can map out an excursion to encounter these gentle dolphins in Salalah.

More things to do!

While identifying different types of dolphins like the acrobatic spinner and bottlenose, you’ll also have the possibility to go snorkelling around the bay of Bandar Khiran. It is well-known as one of the best snorkelling destinations in the world. If you are luckier, you can snorkel with sea turtles too!

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Exploring Johor Bahru

Malaysia is not only all about shopping, no, sometimes it pays off to just roam the city you are in by foot. A city that is placed on the outskirts of Singapore, Johor Bahru is a city with the second biggest population in Malaysia and the best thing to do here is to take a walk and explore!

Temples in Johor Bhru | Image Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Terence">Terence Ong</a>, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sri_Mariamman_Temple,_JB_2.JPG">Sri Mariamman Temple, JB 2</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode" rel="license">CC BY-SA 3.0</a> — Temples in Johor Bhru | Image Credit: Terence Ong, Sri Mariamman Temple, JB 2, CC BY-SA 3.0

The façade of Johor Bahru

Tioman is a city that is undergoing a very slow transition and therefore looks rather odd. The reason for this would be the urban looking builds that have sprouted up in the haystack of old buildings that are barely maintained (this is clearly evident with the missing shop signs you’ll spot here and there). Putting it simply, this city is not underdeveloped, but not looked after that well either.

Smiling faces

Well, one can say without a second thought that the upside to the city is certainly the kind local folk in the area. The people here are ever willing to help out in whatever you may need to know, especially whereabouts of the city. They are well versed in English as well and apparently, their favourite word just happens to be ‘yes’. It definitely is refreshing to see friendly faces greet you as you walk along the streets.

Places of worship in Johor Bahru

The attractions here are mostly places of worship that have been around for many years. Some of the temples, mosques, and churches are over a hundred years old. The people of Johor Bahru seem to hold religion very dear, they are always in and out of temples leaving fresh offerings to God. It fills one with joy to see the harmonious atmosphere among those from various religions even though all kinds of worship places may be jammed into one place.

Other information

Looking for accommodation? Why not try Berjaya Waterfront Hotel? Or select a Johor Bahru hotel from the few available. Their food here is great, try visiting the open-air hawker stall that serves the some of the most delicious local cuisines you would definitely enjoy.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

What to do in Hong Kong in 24 Hours

Hong Kong is a truly cosmopolitan city with a wide variety of things to do that are varied as much as they are numerous. Here are four experiences you shouldn’t miss out on.

Ride a Ding Ding

The Hong Kong trams are a fun and cost-efficient way to navigate the metropolitan sprawl, and they are referred to as ‘ding dings’ due to the bells which are utilised in place of car horns.

Tim Ho Wan

Who would want to miss a chance to dine in one of the cheaped Michelin-starred eateries in the world? At Tim Ho Wan you can gorge on expertly prepared dim sum, such as their world-famous pork baked-bun.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

This temple is legendary for the number of prayers that get answered. If you find yourself staying at a family room hotel in Hong Kong the likes of Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong, with your loved ones and wish to try your luck, then you should definitely pay a visit to the temple.

Go for a Hike

Despite Hong Kong being a world-famous metropolis, there’s no shortage of hiking trails to be found here. Through embarking on a hiking adventure you can burn a load of calories and also experience some of the most astonishing sights the city has to offer.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.

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Maldives Snorkelling

Maldives is well-known for its blue lagoons and white powdery turquoise beaches. All those who like adventurous water sports like snorkelling visit this island to spend a dreamy holiday.

Why snorkelling in Maldives?

If you like snorkelling, you should always select a place where you can spot magnificent marine creatures and many other natural underwater wonders. Maldives is an island paradise with 1190 beautiful islands surrounded by pristine waters. Snorkelling in Maldives is ideal for beginners with the availability of many shallow reefs.

What can you see?

Maldives is home to a large number of whales and dolphins. Once in the water, you will encounter different species of fish. In addition, you will also spot giant creatures like sperm whales and blue whales. Sea turtles are commonly found in almost all the islands in Maldives. Keep in mind that they are generally friendly; except when coming up for a breath of air!

Location

If you are holidaying in one of the Indian Ocean resorts in Maldives the likes of Baros Maldives, you should explore the amazing marine life and crystal-clear waters which will certainly leave you mesmerized!

Best time to go for snorkelling

If you want to experience the best out of your snorkelling trip, March is the best month to visit Maldives. You should avoid visiting Maldives during the months of January and February because it’s the dry season.

Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+